70 Superbee bodywork questions

[Black Country Nailer]

Having got the windscreen out, removed the instruments and most of the trim not to mention a years global production of filler, there is yet more evidence of the tinworm at work.

Is it sensible to remove the entire dash panel? Seems to be connected to the car by a few self tappers next the screen, a couple of bolts, one each side, in the footwell and what looks like a naff spot weld joining it to two or three layers of sheet metalwork. If this is sensible it would likely make repairing the panel rot in the footwell area much easier. This obviously needs to done right to preserve (recover?) structural integrity.

As always, help much appreciated. To be totally honest I've felt like giving up this week. Missed the nationals, again, watched the live stream on internet and wondered what the hellI'm doing spending time on this heap of junk. But then, it is a genuine Superbee (WM23N0A vin) so probably worth saving.

[Matt]

I'd take the dash out at this point .

Self tappers under the screen
bolt each side into the A-pillar
probably some stays to come off around the pedalbox/steering column

and it'll lift straight out . there should be no spot welds holding it in .

When putting everything back together, it's also much easier to reassemble the instruments , wiring etc into the dash, then fit the whole assembly to the car after it's done.

[Black Country Nailer]

Thanks Matt, that's tomorrow evening sorted then.

[Black Country Nailer]

Have now removed the dash so can see the hidden damage.

The heater/aircon unit looks a complete mess. Can this work effectively as just a heater and is it worth trying to save the existing unit? I'n not bothered about air con but would like a heater. Any suggestions welcome.

The lower part of the A posts, both sides, are well rusted, Could make up some repair panels but they wouldn't look that great. Does anyone know if repair panels or patches are available and where I can get them?

Wiring can wait, despite the mess the car will still fire up OK, amazing really and that must be due to the quality of the engine rebuild a few years ago by Dave B. I admit I do start it occasionally, the V8 sound is a great motivator.

[Adrian Worman]

As far as the heater box goes, just pull it all out. The air con unit can be rebuilt but it'll be expensive. Having said that its a neat option to have on a car already worth saving. Grab a used std heater unit from someone on here and use that while you research restoring the factory piece.

As for the rot in the posts, I've seen worse, you've done loads so far, just keep at it.............. seeing rust in all sorts of places puts you off easy, but in reality the patches are fairly easy to repair and they just become a longer list of jobs to do. Nobody is gonna see that one anyway

[AllKiller]

I removed the A/C from my Cuda rightly or wrong but I have no heater as the engine does the job fine but when it rains it not good

instant steamed up windows

so I don't use it in the rain....simples

Get a heater to replace the A/C and keep the A/C unit to go with the car if you sell it.

[Dave-R]

Just remove the AC aspects of it. There is already a heater core in there as well.

On my car I removed the AC and the Heater core (because the heater core was leaking) but kept the heater box, ducting to the screen, and fan.
I simply fixed the various trap doors in the system to blow up onto the screen. Then fitted switches to work the fan at its three speeds.

That way, if it rained I could keep the screen clear. As I usually only used the car during British Summer Time it never needed the heater.